Friday, May 18, 2012

2013 NFL Mock Draft

Way too early edition! Order based on my own power rankings.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars- Matt Barkley, QB, USC

If the Jags are picking first then obviously Blaine Gabbert didn't get the job done. Since there is a different head coach in Jacksonville than the one that drafted Gabbert he will have no problem taking another QB, especially if he's in position to get the best in the draft. Every head coach wants their own guy at QB.

2. Oakland Raiders- Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

Hue Jackson brought Carson Palmer into Oakland and paid a king's ransom to get him. Since then Oakland hired a new GM and Jackson is gone. After a full season of Palmer throwing picks the Raiders will be in the market for a new QB.

3. Cleveland Browns- Robert Woods, WR, USC

Cleveland should have taken a WR in the first round for the last 3 years. They haven't, they have no playmakers at the position, and the continue to lose and draft very high. They decided to take a 1st round QB this year, but it's not going to make a difference with no weapons on the outside. After another losing season they are going to have to finally cave in and get an elite WR prospect.

4. Indianapolis Colts- David Amerson, CB, NC State

The Colts lucked out and got Andrew Luck this year and did the right thing in getting him some weapons on offense, including two of the top TE's in the draft. However they basically ignored the defense completely and have a huge hole at CB. Indy was in bad shape anyway and this was going to be more that a one year turnaround so in 2013 they can focus on rebuilding that defense.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah

Brian Price hasn't gotten the job done up front on defense next to Gerald McCoy, the former 3rd overall pick. McCoy is more of a pass rushing threat and Lotulelei is a dominant run stuffer who is a perfect compliment to McCoy and will give the Bucs a dominant one two punch on the interior of that line.

6. St. Louis Rams- DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama

The Rams could have two high 1st round picks courtesy of the Washington Redskins. With this the Redskins pick they take the top OT on the board. I would say as of now their two biggest needs will be OT and a legit number one WR. Since it appears there will be about 4 WR's that could go in the top 25 they can wait and get their WR with their own pick.

7. Miami Dolphins- Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

The Dolphins took Ryan Tannehill who many think was a reach this year at number 8. Now the pressure will be on in Miami for him to do well and in short order. For that to happen they better get him some quality weapons and I think Wilson will seperate himself from the WR's after Woods.

8. Seattle Seahawks- Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

It's impossible to predict what the Seahawks are going to do after taking Bruce Irvin about a full round too early. Irvin at best will be a situational pass rusher to start so the need at DE isn't filled in Seattle. Mingo would be too good of value to pass on at this point and can come in and be a complete DE right away.

9. St. Louis Rams- Keenan Allen, WR, California

Like I said before the Rams two biggest needs appear to be OT and WR. I like what they did in this year's draft getting Brian Quick and I think pairing Quick with Allen gives the Rams a legit number 1 WR and two quality big tall fast WR's for Bradford to throw to.

10. Minnesota Vikings- Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Many might have Tyrann Mathieu rated higher than Rhodes, but I saw the trend this year with Gilmore going in the top 10 because of his size. Teams like big CB's and the Vikings should especially with big WR's Calvin Johnson, Greg Jennings, and Brandon Marshall all in their division. The Vikings have a hole at CB and with 3 pro bowl QB's in their division have to get some quality cover guys and pass rushers to help defend the pass.

11. Kansas City Chiefs- Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech

The Chiefs have a talented team and if they're picking in the top half of the first round it's because Matt Cassel didn't get the job done and his time will be up in KC. This will be the year if you need a QB to get one as there could be as many as 5 first round QB's.

12. Buffalo Bills- Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

Steve Johnson may be the most underrated WR in the NFL. The Bills have absolutely got to get him some help or teams are just going to bracket coverage, double, and triple team him and take away their only threat on offense.

13. Arizona Cardinals- Chris Faulk, OT, LSU

I understood what the Cards did in taking Floyd to get another weapon opposite Larry Fitzgerald. That said they have two overpaid, under performing OT's on their roster and it's going to be another season of their QB getting killed, whoever it is.

14. San Diego Chargers- Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

Quinton Jammer is in his mid 30's and the Chargers have needed to add another CB since they traded Cromartie to the Jets. With Jammer losing a step in may be time for him to step into that nickel roll and bring in the Honey Badger who is a playmaker despite his size at 5'9". Matthieu creates turnovers and is a threat in the return game.

15. Tennessee Titans- Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU

This would be too good of value to pass on, especially with Derrick Morgan not living up to the billing of a 1st rounder and the Titans having virtually no depth behind their starting two DE's. Montgomery also has the athleticism to stand up and play OLB on passing downs.

16. Dallas Cowboys- Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia

The Cowboys bolstered their secondary in the 2012 off season which has been turned from a weakness to a strength with the additions of Carr and Claiborne at CB. Now they need to add a pass rusher across from Demarcus Ware. Jones could be a top 5 talent and a major value pick at this point.

17. New York Jets- Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina

I don't think Rex Ryan is going to like either of the players he has at QB and instead will go after an elite runner and turn the Jets back into a defensive ground and pound team. Rex is going to realize the only way he gets that Super Bowl he keeps guaranting is to take the ball out of his QB's hands and dominate on defense.

18. Carolina Panthers- Johnathon Hankins, DT, Ohio State

The Panthers have stated that they are happy with their DT's, but if they play again in 2012 like they did last year they will change their mind. Big men like Hankins that have as much athleticism as he does is rare and he could play himself into a top 5 pick.

19. Chicago Bears- Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin

Wisconsin offensive lineman are a hot commodity. The Bears have got to get some early round players on their O Line soon. Jay Cutler can not keep going through seasons where he keeps taking the beatings that he does.

20. Philadelphia Eagles- Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

Andy Reid loves to draft O Lineman early and often. After going to the D Line in 2012 he'll be looking for an upgrade at RT in 2013. Matthews next to Danny Watkins will give the Eagles a road grading right side of the O Line for Vick and McCoy to run behind.

21. Cincinnati Bengals- Eric Reid, Safety, LSU

The difference between good and great defenses is having a dominant Safety that can make game changing plays. To be good you have to be able to stuff the run and rush the passer up front and have good cover guys on the back end. The two best defenses in the NFL for the last decade have been the Steelers and Ravens and they had all of that plus a game changing Safety. It's time for the Bengals to get that elite Safety and I think Reid will end up being the best on the board in 2013. If Taylor Mays or Iloka end up working out then the Bengals could go in a different direction, but with not many holes on the roster as of now it might be time for them to go for that game changer at Safety.

22. Denver Broncos- Kawaan Short, DT, Purdue

The Broncos have two elite players at DE, but they are soft up the middle at DT. They did take Wolfe from the University of Cincinnati, but he is not going to be enough and is more of a pass rusher/penetrator vs Short who will be a run stuffer.

23. New Orleans Saints- Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

Jonathon Vilma just got suspended for the season and he may be on the last leg of his career. The Saints could be looking for a new MLB for the 2013 season after being without their starter for the 2012 season.

24. Detroit Lions- Johnathon Banks, CB, Mississippi State

The Lions have a hole at CB and there were a few quality CB's on the board in the 2nd round this year when the Lions were on the clock. Instead they went with a WR coming off an ACL injury. With the Aaron Rodgers in their division they need some players who can cover if they want to over take the Packers in the NFC North.

25. Atlanta Falcons- Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

John Abraham is the only legit pass rusher the Falcons have at DE. You can tell he's completely gassed at the end of games as he has to do everything for that defense to provide a pass rush. Okafor is ready to be a complete DE right now in the NFL and will come in and be a 3 down player for Atlanta.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers- Jackson Jeffcoat, DE/OLB, Texas

The Steelers are getting old at LB across the board. They were unable to address LB early in this year's draft due to their needs on the O Line. Look for them to go LB heavy early and often in the 2013 draft.

27. San Francisco 49ers- Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

The Niners obviously aren't convinced that Alex Smith is the guy at QB. They pursued Peyton Manning and didn't pay Smith a lot of money or give him a lot of years. If Bray or Landry Jones is available they very well could take one of them.

28. Baltimore Ravens- Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford

Rumor has it the Ravens really wanted Donta Hightower or Kevin Zeitler in the 1st round this year. Both were gone so they traded back and took Upshaw. Next year they will be looking to get younger in the middle at LB and find Ray Lewis' future replacement.

29. Houston Texans- Demarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

If Kareem Jackson doesn't get it together this season the Texans could be replacing one Alabama CB with another. They will be looking for an upgrade across from Johnathon Joseph because Jackson isn't going to all of a sudden become a better player, he's a bust.

30. New York Giants- Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

GM Jerry Reese loves to take big long DE's in the first round. Since he didn't do that this year he'll be dying to get back to that in 2013. Werner has the size to make him interchangable along the line which is exactly what the Giants look for and Osi may not be back in 2013.

31. Green Bay Packers- Barrett Jones, OT/OG,OC, Alabama

When you have Aaron Rodgers using a 1st round pick on an O lineman is never a bad idea. Especially when you can get someone like Jones. His versatility will make him valuable as he can play every single position on the line.

32. New England Patriots- Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

The Pats went defense heavy this year and they could do the same next year. Hunt would be a good fit in a 3-4 defense at DE. Tom Brady only has so many years left and Bill Belicheck will be looking to build as dominant a defense as possible as he knows Brady will put up points.


2nd Round


33. Jacksonville Jaguars- Khaled Holmes, OC, USC

The Jags current Center, Meester, will be 36 years old and is going into the final year of his deal. They will likely be looking for a new Center and Holmes will be the best true Center in this draft.

34. Cincinnati Bengals- Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas

With this pick from Oakland the Bengals will have turned Carson Palmer into Dre Kirkpatrick and now Knile Davis. As of now the Bengals don't have a ton of holes and will be drafting for depth. Adding Davis to Green-Ellis and Scott will give the Bengals a good 3 headed monster at RB. They can really go in about any direction with this pick, but if Davis is available he's a 1st round talent and would be an upgrade over everyone at RB.

35. Cleveland Browns- Oday Aboushi, OT, Virginia

The Browns have had a franchise LT in Joe Thomas for years. They need to get someone that is an upgrade on the right side of that line, especially if they want to utilize the elite prospect they have at RB, Trent Richardson.

36. Indianapolis Colts- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

Like I said earlier, I like what the Colts did in this year's draft focusing on their offense. The Colts were more than a year away and in this draft they can focus on their defense. They were terrible against the pass and in this mock they come away with 2 CB's with first round grades including the top CB in the draft. This will allow them to have an elite duo at CB that grows together.

37. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Johnathon Adams, CB, Michigan State

The Bucs opted to trade back and pass on taking Claiborne this year. They did come away with a great prospect in Mark Barron, but they still have a huge hole at CB and who knows if Talib is going to be in jail by the time this draft happens.

38. Washington Redskins- Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

I can't believe the Redskins opted to take another QB with limited draft picks after they had already taken RGIII. They really need weapons in the passing game and without a 1st round pick they better hope a quality WR is still on the board in the 2nd. Here they can reunite Williams with Griffin as they already have some chemistry, like the Colts did with Fleener and Luck.

39. Miami Dolphins- Tony Jefferson, Safety, Oklahoma

I'm not really sure why the Dolphins cut Yerimiah Bell when they really don't have any quality depth behind him. Then again I'm not sure why the Dolphins do a lot of the things that they do. That organization is a mess, reminds me of the Bengals of the 90's.

40. Seattle Seahawks- Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida

As far as predicting what Seattle will do, it is impossible. What they will likely need next season is an OLB if they're planning on sticking with a 4-3 defense which I'm not sure with them drafting the undersized pass rusher Bruce Irvin.

41. St. Louis Rams- Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

The Rams should have a really good team within a few years. They have a ton of picks in the top 50 three drafts in a row. They already have drafted 2 top end WR's and a franchise OT. Here they get the best TE in the draft and suddenly Sam Bradford has 3 talented young weapons that are receivers, plus Isiah Pead who can catch the ball out of the backfield.

42. Minnesota Vikings- Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma

The Vikings need a big WR for Christian Ponder to throw to. They do have Percy Harvin who's explosive, but he's a smaller slot guy. Stills will give them a big body in the red zone and someone who can be a possession WR and pick up 1st downs on 3rd and mediums.

43. Kansas City Chiefs- Sean Porter, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

The Chiefs need another pass rusher across from Tamba Hali. Teams have caught on and are chipping Hali with a RB and doubling him. Porter is a perfect fit as he can play in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 and Romeo Crennell runs kind of a hybrid like the Patriots.

44. Buffalo Bills- Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

I thought Buffalo would look for a RT early in this year's draft, but they had too many other holes they filled. They better find someone quick or Fitzpatrick will be spending another season running for his life.

45. Arizona Cardinals- Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

If Jones plays like he did in the first half of last season he'll be a 1st rounder. He has all the tools to be an elite QB. I don't think he'll last this far into the 2nd. If he's available after the 1st I think Arizona moves up to the top of the 2nd to get him.

46. San Diego Chargers- Da'Rick Rodgers, WR, Tennessee

The Chargers finally let Vincent Jackson go in free agency. Now they need to add another WR, their offense is going to struggle this season. It's going to be really bad if Antonio Gates isn't healthy all year because they have no one at WR.

47. Tennessee Titans- Carrington Bnydom, CB, Texas

I'm wondering what the Titans are going to do this season at CB with Cortland Finnegan gone. They're going to struggle to defend the pass and that's why you'll likely see them take a CB and pass rusher in the first 2 rounds next April.

48. Dallas Cowboys- TJ McDonald, Safety, USC

It seemed like everyone had Dallas taking Mark Barron this year in the draft. I don't think they'll take a Safety in the 1st now that they have 2 potential shut down CB's. However with there potentially being 5 high grade Safeties in the 2013 draft they could take one of the talented Safeties in the 2nd.

49. New York Jets- CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama

Like I said I don't think Rex Ryan believes in anyone he has at QB and will get back to being dominant and physical on defense and running the ball on offense. To dominate on defense you have to be tough up the middle, putting Mosley next to Bart Scott will give them that.

50. Carolina Panthers- Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M

Steve Smith has been begging the Panthers to get him some help at WR and they've never done it. They will next year because they are eager to sell tickets by showing they have a star at QB and for Newton to remain a star he has to have someone to throw to.

51. Chicago Bears- William Gholston, DE, Michigan State

The Bears need to add to their depth at DE. Yes they have Julius Peppers who is a beast, but they need to add some help. With all the quality offenses in that division you have to have pass rushers and cover guys if you want to win in that division.

52. Philadelphia Eagles- Kevin Reddick, LB, North Carolina

The Eagles need to be tougher up the middle on that defense. I think adding Fletcher Cox helps on the interior on passing downs but they need some tough guys that stick their head in there and stop the run. I thought Luke Kuechly would've been a great addition there this year, but he was gone.

53. Cincinnati Bengals- John Simon, DE, Ohio State

With really no holes left now that Safety and RB have been taken care of it's time to draft for depth. I think Micheal Johnson will be re-signed which will give them MJ and Dunlap to start. Simon could come in and pass rush from either the DE or DT position even though he's a bit undersized. The guy is a football player and in a rotation would be a great fit for the Bengals. They could also utilize him at OLB giving Zimmer the option to mix things up and throw a 3-4 at opposing offenses just to confuse them and give them a different look.

If Simon goes to a team with a smart, creative, defensive coordinator like the Bengals have with Zimmer he will be a great steal as the guy has a motor that doesn't stop and he's smart. Zimmer will use him correct and give the Bengals and additional pass rusher to rotate and he can play 3 different spots so you can line him up all over the place. This is the kind of toy to give to Zimmer that will give opposing offensive coordinators headaches.

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